Wedding Party and VIP's Getting Ready Space Options
Many couples are faced with figuring out where to have their mothers, friends, cousins have their hair and makeup services performed - a.k.a. the Getting Ready Room. This could be at home, at a venue, or at a hotel. Here are a few things to keep in mind when thinking through where this takes place.
While services can be performed in a variety of settings, it's not just about getting the job done, but about the experience in doing so. Is it enjoyable, will it start the day with a smile, will it line you up for success.
In general, a designated getting ready room for your makeup team and your wedding party is the best set up.
While all things can still work, these are things to keep in mind so you can create the best possible experience for your celebration.
Bride's Getting Ready Space
Let's also address where the bride will be during all of this!
Pro tip:
Pro tip:
While services can be performed in a variety of settings, it's not just about getting the job done, but about the experience in doing so. Is it enjoyable, will it start the day with a smile, will it line you up for success.
In general, a designated getting ready room for your makeup team and your wedding party is the best set up.
- Having a specific 'Getting Ready Room' serves the purpose of a central, dedicated, well planned, neutral place for the women to get ready.
- This is a space the hair and makeup team can get in early and set up their stations. This helps ensure the day runs on time.
- The beauty team will need tables, mirrors, and electrical outlets. Ideally these are close to windows and light so it is easy to see the finished looks. These are often provided, giving them space, light, counter space, and early access.
- No one is displaced. It avoids awkwardness of coming to a bedroom of a person you may not know very well.
- The set up is amenable to the task at hand (tables and chairs as opposed to beds).
- Ladies can easily come and go for services as needed. It is easy to find and does not require special key cards to access / open the door.
- There is space to sit, talk, wait, check themselves in the mirror. It is comfortable and spacious for sitting or having a coffee.
- Many couples provide a snack or breakfast, maybe some champagne, to welcome the people having services. There can be a table with some food and drink and ladies can have a chance to say hello and settle in.
- Everyone feels welcome.
- Other options such as having all the ladies getting ready in someone's hotel room often have unintended negative consequences...
- Hotel rooms for guests have limited space. Most of it is taken up by a bed, tv, dresser. There is little space for a hair station, makeup station, mirrors, and the people getting services done.
- A previously private bedroom now has a slew of people coming in and out of their room, some they may not know as well.
- The bathroom, often a private space, now becomes a bathroom for many. And depending on how many mirrors are in the room it may be in high demand to 'check my makeup'
- Often jewelry may be around, and this can get touchy
- Often lighting is limited. This means it is very hard of the artists to see their work and for the recipient to see if they like the work.
- The 'next in line' person often must resort to standing awkwardly or sitting on a used bed and try not to disturb the personal items in the room.
- The other person / people staying in the room (often a spouse) may need to get ready too, and this person now has no privacy or space to open bags or change outfits comfortably.
- It is easy for things to get lost. (phone slips between the bed and night stand, lipstick gets left in the bathroom, etc)
- If someone leaves an item behind (shoes, purse, cell phone), she is trying to get into a locked room and it becomes a logistical mess.
- There is no space for having snacks or coffee.
- Everyone feels uncomfortable. (The artist for disrupting the residents' morning. The work is being performed in poorly lit, constrained spaces. The people getting services are invading someone else's room. The person waiting has no designated space to sit or stand, and nothing to do in the down time as it is someone else's room.)
While all things can still work, these are things to keep in mind so you can create the best possible experience for your celebration.
Bride's Getting Ready Space
Let's also address where the bride will be during all of this!
- For the bride it is recommended to get ready in your own space. Often this is a Private bridal suite, or your Hotel room / suite.
- You can collect your thoughts
- Keep all of your personal items handy and prepared and right where you want them (no one is moving your jewelry so they can set down their coffee)
- You won't be distracted or stressed by what others are chatting about (like overhearing someone saying 'I'm not sure I brought the right shoes...')
- Alternatively you may get ready with 'the girls' if your makeup artist has you worked in as part of the line up.
- This works for hair and makeup, but again, for changing your outfit or putting on jewelry that is best done in your room so your outfits and jewelry are not in public or being handled by others. (You don't want your cousin's 5 year old who was eating Cheetos to be able to paw at your dress)
Pro tip:
- It is important to check with your makeup / hair team to make sure the set up you are planning works for them and their team too.
- Some artists prefer everyone in one room.
- Some can do the bride separately from the rest.
- If they can do that, and your space can accommodate that, we recommend it.
Pro tip:
- Conference rooms at hotels are often used as Getting Ready rooms.
- Venues often have a space for 'Bridal Suite' with multiple stations for beauty services. Specifically designed bridal suites typically have everyone in the same space, that is fine. If they do have a private pocket of space that can be used for the bride, again we recommend a little gentle separation so you can be calm and pampered.